My dear comrades, As I reflect upon my trip to Israel two months ago, the Bible (yes, that's the Book for me!) has come alive. As I read about David at En Gedi, or Elijah on Mount Carmel, or Simon Peter on the Kinneret, or Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, I can pull up my photos and actually view these places. As Christians we cannot forget the Jewish roots of Jesus. Let me remind you, that He was born in Bethlehem, presented at the Temple, lived in Nazareth, made the annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem, got lost once, wandered the desert places, baptized in the Jordan, sailed the Kinneret, taught in Capernaum, traveled through Jericho, entered Jerusalem, and finally was buried and resurrected in a tomb that was not his own. I am going "back to basics". I am re-reading with renewed interest the Torah, the Writings, and the Prophets. It seems like on every page, something leaps out at me the points to Jesus. Does this passage from the Psalms sound familiar.....? 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? `Why art thou so' far from helping me, `and from' the words of my groaning? 22:2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest not; And in the night season, and am not silent. 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Even near death, Jesus' mind was on the Scripture! I am sad to say that we have forgotten the deep study of the Word of God. Let us begin again and immerse ourselves in the Scripture. Study it, memorize it, quote it, learn it, live it, love it, cherish it, and most importantly carry it to the church of your choice. More about the trip and my thoughts coming soon! L'chaim! God bless, Be well, and Keep in touch! |
back to top
